We set off from the center of the town shrouded in clouds, eager to explore a destination still full of hidden gems. After more than 17km of travel, the car turned onto a small paved road, where glimpses of clean, tidy stilt houses emerged, signaling the peaceful scenery before us.
The road leading to Kon Tu Ma village is truly beautiful and picturesque.
Kon Tu Ma welcomed me with a clear blue sky and crisp, cool air. Along the roadside, reeds swayed and wildflowers bloomed. It seemed as if spring still lingered somewhere on the distant hillsides.
The first impression was the vibrant purple of the rhododendron flowers covering the landscape, reaching towards the sun, creating a rustic yet captivating beauty. These simple yet alluring bushes made travelers slow their pace, allowing them to quietly appreciate the scene. Along the small path, we strolled leisurely, seemingly detached from the hustle and bustle of the city. A peaceful picture unfolded, gentle yet profound.
As we venture deeper into the village, the terrain slopes steeply, yet the air remains cool and pleasant. The natural landscape here unfolds like a tranquil rural painting, intimately connected to the long-standing lives of the highland inhabitants. Rolling hills and endless stretches of green create a breathtaking scene. When sunlight filters through the foliage, shimmering streaks of light sway in the breeze, creating an unusually poetic atmosphere.
The rice granaries stand like works of art in the middle of Kon Tu Ma village.
Along both sides of the road are rows of coffee plants grown on the slopes, stretching from high to low, a unique and abundant sight. This is also the main crop, contributing to improving the lives of the local people. In the distance, lush green rice fields appear, dotted with images of hardworking laborers, painting a peaceful rural picture. Besides that, the locals also cultivate many valuable medicinal herbs such as ginseng, Angelica sinensis, and ground ginseng, bringing significant economic value.
Pine trees are everywhere. Every step leaves an imprint beneath their cool, green canopy. The sound of the mountain wind and the birdsong blend with the rustling of the pines, like a symphony of the forest, whispering stories of the earth and sky.
In recent years, Kon Tu Ma has gradually become more well-known, and the locals have started developing tourism in a more organized way. I stopped at a local guesthouse nestled beside a pine forest, a place that still retains its rustic and intimate charm. The atmosphere makes it easy to leave behind all worries, finding only tranquility amidst nature.
According to Ms. Ngo Thi Van (representative of Mang Den Discovery Tourism Company) - a local tourism operator, the journey to explore Kon Tu Ma is becoming increasingly diverse with many activities such as trekking through pine forests, visiting rice paddies, terraced rice fields, suspension bridges, experiencing stream fishing, exploring waterfalls, and conquering mountains amidst the primeval forest. Tourists can also camp, enjoy local cuisine, have bonfires, spend the night in the village, and chase clouds in the early morning.
The road leading to Kon Tu Ma village is truly beautiful and picturesque.
Kon Tu Ma's appeal lies not only in its beautiful scenery but also in its rich cultural heritage. According to Mr. A Hung, Party Secretary and Head of Kon Tu Ma village, the village has 52 households, primarily consisting of the Mơ Nâm ethnic group (a branch of the Xê Đăng people) – who still preserve many traditional customs, practices, festivals, and crafts such as weaving and traditional rice wine making. These values create a unique identity, making each trip not just a sightseeing journey but also a meaningful cultural experience.
A distinctive feature of the village is the cluster of wooden granaries built on the hillside, resembling miniature stilt houses. Beyond their function of storing food, these granaries symbolize abundance and the appreciation of the villagers' hard work.
Closely connected to nature, the people of Kon Tu Ma still maintain the New Rice Harvest Festival around July every year - an important ritual to thank the gods and honor the rice grain, a symbol of life.
As the midday sun softened, we followed a forest trail to a crystal-clear stream winding through rocky crevices. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the cool water, experience fishing, visit rice paddies, and fully appreciate the pristine beauty and the harmony between humans and nature.
The stream at the end of Kon Tu Ma village is crystal clear and refreshing.
Kon Tu Ma captivates visitors not only with its scenery but also with the sincerity and hospitality of its people. If nature is the reason to visit, it is the culture and the people that make people linger forever.
The ideal time to visit is during the cherry blossom season, when the scenery becomes even more enchanting, blending with the cool air and the gentle sound of streams flowing through the lush green plateau.
There are places where just one visit is enough to leave a lasting impression. Kon Tu Ma is one such place.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/van-vuong-kon-tu-ma--a484562.html
